Rafael Rivera has never fought for a world title. He has recent losses to ranked fighters Joseph Diaz Jr. and Joet Gonzalez, so there was therefore no way Rivera was going to turn down an opportunity to challenge Leo Santa Cruz for his featherweight title.

The two will square off Saturday at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live (on Fox). Santa Cruz was supposed to be defending against Miguel Flores, but Flores sustained an ankle injury while training in late January and was forced to pull out.

Rivera jumped at the chance when offered.

“When I got this opportunity, I didn’t think twice,” said Rivera, 24. “I was training and ready and I wanted this challenge. I’m here to make the most of it.”

From the tone of Rivera’s remarks at a workout Wednesday, he is excited for this chance that may never have come had Flores not been injured, especially with the losses to Diaz, in September 2017, and to Gonzalez in July – both by decision. So excuse Rivera if he gets carried away.

“Like I always say to my fans, be ready for a great fight,” he said. “I’m looking to make this very exciting and interesting. The belt is coming back with me to Tijuana.”

Since accepting the challenge, Rivera (26-2-2, 17 KOs) has become a student, trying to learn all he can about Santa Cruz, a three-division champion who won his first title at bantamweight in June 2012.

“I love to face the best fighters out there,” Rivera said. “Leo is a fighter who throws a lot of punches. We’ve seen it and we’ve studied it.

“But I don’t think he’s very fast. I’m faster than he is and I have to take advantage of that. I have to counter him when he comes in and do my job.”

Sounds easy. But Santa Cruz (35-1-1, 19 KOs) is still a terrific fighter at age 30. Except for his one loss to Carl Frampton, a loss he avenged, Santa Cruz has been an extremely difficult nut to crack.

He’s smart. He knows what to do, even when he has to change direction in the middle of camp and prepare for a different fighter.

“We spar against fighters who have every different kind of style, because the opponent could always bring something new to the ring. My dad tells me to always be prepared for any kind of style. We are ready for whatever the opponent brings into the ring.”

Santa Cruz is trained by his father, Jose, who is still battling spinal cancer.

“We didn’t worry too much about the opponent change,” Jose Santa Cruz said. “I don’t think it makes too much of a difference. Leo is going to be at his best and ready for whoever steps into that ring.”

That said, Leo Santa Cruz is expecting a rough and tumble fight. He apparently has high regard for Rivera.

“I know that Rivera has fought some good opponents like Joseph Diaz and Joet Gonzalez, and he’s gone the distance with them,” Santa Cruz said. “He’s given them tough battles. He’s shown that he’s a tough fighter who will leave everything in the ring.”

Diaz won a wide decision over Rivera, but Gonzalez’s win over Rivera was close and came via split decision.

“This isn’t going to be an easy fight,” Santa Cruz promised. “Rivera is tougher than people have given him credit for in the past. It motivates me to try to be the first to knock him out. If I have the opportunity for it, I’m going for it.

“Most important though, is to come out of there with the victory.”

Perhaps promoter Richard Schaefer said it best about this fight.

“Leo Santa Cruz always brings great action and drama when he enters the ring,” said Schaefer, of Ring Star Sports. “You have to be on the edge of your seat during a Leo Santa Cruz fight and I expect nothing less next Saturday night.

“Rafael Rivera has nothing to lose in this fight, and that is the recipe for a tremendous showdown.”

Maybe, maybe not. Santa Cruz could blow out Rivera and all his and Schaefer’s talk won’t mean a thing. Even so, Santa Cruz is fun to watch.

Molina vs. Figueora

John Molina Jr. of Covina is never in a dull fight, so with the way Omar Figueroa Jr. is talking, their welterweight fight underneath Santa Cruz-Rivera could be a showstopper.

At Thursday’s final news conference, Figueroa (27-0-1, 19 KOs) was matter of fact in assessing this bout.

“Given our styles, there’s no way this is going to go the distance,” said Figueroa, 29, a former lightweight champion from Weslaco, Texas. “I think this is going to be an early night and I’m planning on having my hand raised.”

Molina, 36, was supposed to face former champion Victor Ortiz in September, but that fight was canceled after Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

Since that fight went by the wayside, Molina is champing at the bit to get back in there.

“Whenever I fight, it’s going to be exciting,” Molina said. “You can say the same thing about Omar. I’m prepared for any version of Omar. Just like any other fight. I can’t wait until Saturday night to get in there and do what I do best.”